Infant Care | Richmond, VA

Newborn/Infant Care in Richmond, VA

Celebrating the miracle of birth is very exciting! Whether you are a first-time parent, or experienced when it comes to caring for newborns, the providers and staff at Swift Creek Pediatrics are here every step of the way. We will help you protect the health of your newborn by doing everything that we can to ensure that your baby is growing and developing properly, has the vaccines he/she needs and that you have the necessary tools you need to care for your child.

Prenatal Consultations for Expectant Parents

At Swift Creek Pediatrics, we are pleased to provide prenatal consultations for parents seeking a pediatrician and a pediatric practice. A prenatal visit is the first step in establishing a relationship between the family and the pediatrician (your baby’s medical home) and in helping the parents develop parenting skills and confidence. A prenatal visit with a pediatrician is recommended for all expectant families. It is particularly valuable for first pregnancies, parents who are new to the practice or new to the area, single parents and families with high-risk pregnancies, pregnancy complications, or multiple gestations.

Infant Care Services:

Swift Creek Pediatrics is excited to begin the journey of parenthood with you by providing the highest quality medical care to your child starting at his/her very first visit. Once your baby is born, one of our physicians will come to meet you and your baby at the hospital. We will perform several vital health checks. The hospitals we serve in the Richmond, VA area are:

You may be surprised by the amount of medical attention your baby will receive once he or she arrives. If you know what to expect after delivery and understand the medical reasons for the recommended vaccines or screenings, you will feel more confident. During your baby’s hospital stay, the standard therapeutics include:

The day of baby’s discharge from the hospital is often dependent on the mother’s discharge plan. A healthy baby born by vaginal delivery will usually spend one or two nights in the hospital. A healthy baby born by c-section is likely to stay two to four nights in the hospital. Some circumstances which may require an extra hospital stay including:

Throughout your baby’s first year, we will see him/her regularly to assess growth and developmental milestones. The well-child visit schedule for babies is as follows:

1-2 days after leaving the hospital

2 weeks

2 months

4 months

6 months

9 months

1 year

15 months

18 months

2 year

3 year

4 year

5 year

Yearly check-ups until age 18.

As your baby is quickly developing physically and mentally, it is important to make sure that they stay on a regular well-child visit schedule. We will monitor your baby’s growth in height and weight and show you how he is progressing on the growth charts. Swift Creek Pediatrics will provide educational handouts that inform you of the developmental milestones you can expect in the upcoming months.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusively breastfeeding for the first six months of life and that breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months and longer if the mother chooses. Breastfeeding is optimal for both babies and mothers. For babies, it can protect against infections and reduce the rates of later health problems.

Benefits of Breastfeeding

There are many benefits to breastfeeding your baby for any amount of time. Some of the benefits include:

The first breast milk is perfect for your baby. Known as colostrum, this early breast milk is very rich in nutrients and antibodies to protect your baby. Although he/she gets a small amount of colostrum at each feeding, it matches the amount his or her tiny stomach can hold. Mature breast milk usually comes in between the 3rd and 5th day after birth.

Breast milk changes as the baby grows. Your breast milk changes according to each stage of his/her development, providing the appropriate nutrients.